How does proper movement improve my life?

Our bodies are an amazingly complex living organism. We have the ability to move in many different ways.  As you have probably seen, everyone moves differently.  No movement is necessarily wrong as there is a function for every kind of movement in any given moment. However, over the long run improper movement patterns can cause pain and injury, especially as we age.  Proper movement is all about finding a biomechanical balance. It puts our bodies in the strongest possible position to exert a force.  When this is done correctly our muscles work in harmony.  They don’t become over-worked or under-utilized.  There is symmetry and balance.  When we achieve balance through our movements, pain and injury go away, which enables us to focus on the goals and dreams that make us happy.    

How does movement keep me doing the things I love, keep me healthy and active?

Think of our bodies like water.  A stagnant pool of water over time becomes very dirty, murky, and gross.   A constantly moving body of water, such as a river, on the other hand stays pristine and clean.  Our bodies work much in the same way.  Having a sedentary lifestyle leads to constant pain in basic movements which causes immobility later in life.  However, staying active and moving with correct movement patterns will help keep the body healthy and strong late into life.  Proper movement patterns will allow you to always bend down and pick up your grandkids or still be able to climb mountains and run marathons late into life.  Being conscious and aware of your movements while you are young sets you up to be able to thrive at the things you love for the rest of your life

What does consciousness and awareness mean in relation to movement?

To be conscious of one’s movements means that an individual is able to think about their posture.  They have a general knowledge of how they would like to stand and move.  They are constantly improving their posture by using their knowledge of movement.  To be aware of one’s movements’ means that an individual can feel their body positions.  They know when their bodies don’t feel right allowing them to consciously change their posture to be in a position of strength.  It is important to be conscious and aware of our movements because it allows for us to constantly be improving.  Not just when we are at the gym or when we are training but also when we are brushing our teeth or taking out the trash.  We do so many small intricate movements throughout the day. Being conscious and aware of just a quarter of those movements can mean huge progress in creating proper patterns to lead us to better health.  Fitness is something that has to be continually practiced.   The first step is to be conscious and aware.  Then you can start to apply the concepts of proper movement patterns, creating continual improvement.